A study of mechanical properties of photosensitive resins used in vat photopolymerization process

Abstract

In recent years, the rapid advancement of Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology has led to resource-efficient processes and reduced gaps between design and product/prototypes. Particularly, sectors like medicine and dentistry stand to gain from these advancements if materials with suitable mechanical characteristics for clinical use are available. One such evolving AM process is VAT photopolymerization through LCD 3D Printer technology, characterized by the curing of photosensitive polymeric resins. This study aims to assess the impact of the angle of layer photopolymerization of UV resin in three positions (horizontal, vertical, and inclined at 45°) using a cost-effective LCD 3D Printer. Additionally, specimens, distributed across five positions on the printing platform, underwent testing with three types of UV light-curing resin. Mechanical properties, including tensile stress, elasticity modulus, and hardness, were evaluated and analyzed statistically. Results indicate that both the chosen manufacturing platform position and the inclined layer angle significantly influence the final characteristics of the workpiece.